Punishment-Free Parenting Audiobook By Jon Fogel, Tina Payne Bryson - foreword cover art

Punishment-Free Parenting

The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice

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Punishment-Free Parenting

By: Jon Fogel, Tina Payne Bryson - foreword
Narrated by: Jon Fogel, Tina Payne Bryson
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About this listen

A no-judgment, simple-to-follow step-by-step parenting guide to help you manage your emotions, meet your child’s needs with empathy, and create a calmer home—without ever resorting to threats or punishment

Every parent has had that painful moment they realize there must be a better way to raise kids than the old-school yelling, threats, bribes, and punishment way.

For Jon Fogel, that realization set him on a path toward wholeness: understanding himself, learning about the brain, and empowering parents to raise kids who live physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy lives. In just a few short years, he became an inspiration to more than a million people around the world who were also striving to do better and become the best parents they can be.

Now, with Punishment-Free Parenting, Fogel—parenting educator, pastor, and father of four—brings to parents the hard-won wisdom from his research and work as a parenting coach. With memorable stories, advice, and compassionate insight, he offers moms and dads a clear path to their own wholeness as parents—from learning to recognize and name their own emotional triggers to responding with a deeper awareness of their children’s developmental processes. What emerges is a collaborative partnership with children—free from the drama and pain of punishment.

In a book packed with the most helpful research findings from child developmental psychology, neurology, and pediatric medicine, listeners will meet other parents just like them and children just like their own who have learned to use the tools and tips that Fogel provides. Punishment-Free Parenting is the simple, accessible, no-judgment book for parents who want the support and guidance of a dad just like them.

©2025 Jon Fogel (P)2025 Random House Audio
Child Psychology Developmental Psychology Parenting & Families Psychology Relationships Human Brain

Critic reviews

“Jon Fogel speaks directly to our history of being parented to help release us from old, unhelpful patterns that we may have adopted as we adapted to our own childhood experiences of punishment. With humor and wisdom, our supportive guide emphasizes what discipline is all about—intentional teaching, parental regulation, and attuned relationships—in order to become the parents we wish we’d had. The children growing in such a caring, connecting, and compassionate home will be given the starting point to thrive in the challenging world in which we all now live.”—Daniel J. Siegel, MD, executive director of the Mindsight Institute and founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center, author of The Whole-Brain Child

“[An] empathetic debut . . . The guidance is compassionate, and Fogel’s exhortation ‘to extend to ourselves the same grace and forgiveness that we aspire to extend to our children’ will help readers work through their own emotional baggage. Parents will find this a balm.”—Publishers Weekly

Punishment-Free Parenting is not only a gift to parents, it’s a gift to humanity. Jon Fogel did what he does best: dig into the scientific research to help us all understand why punishment is a path worth avoiding, and providing other practical and effective paths we can take instead. As a therapist, an author, and a parent, I found this book engaging, helpful, and hopeful. A must-read for anyone determined to give their children a secure experience.”—Eli Harwood, author of Raising Securely Attached Kids and executive director for Jai Institute of Parenting

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Parenthood changing journey made even better because it is read by the author.

Not only does this book breakdown the science of the brain and development in easy to understand layman’s terms that will help with parenting, it is also so applicable to every relationship be it partner, boss, coworkers, customers, friends, or extended family. What I really love is the applicable tips that are so easy to use and implement. It has helped me be much more of the parent I want to be by teaching ME tips on regulation and gounding so I can model the behaviors want my kids to do. The understanding and empathy that I now have because I UNDERSTAND what my kid is going through makes my approach so much different and successful.

Another huge benefit is the author is the narrator, and he does an amazing job! His cadence and voice is so captivating, it’s almost like he’s speaking directly to you can hear his enthusiasm for what he is teaching as he reads. I just want to hear more and more. I have also discovered his podcast (on Spotify or whatever platform you prefer) so you can get more!

One elephant I do want to address is that his other job is a pastor. I almost didn’t want to listen to this because I am science based and abhor preachy religion. I tell you there is absolutely no religion or religious undertones in the slightest. In fact, it would be really useful for people who were overly punished in the name of religion to possibly help heal your journey. This is all science and brain based WITH the empathy of someone who knows what the harm or religion can do. I cannot recommend this book enough!

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Captivating book

This book is such a great listen! Jon has a strong passion for helping parents and provides brain-backed tools in a digestible way. Really transforms the way “punishment” is viewed and gives the listener powerful tools to help teach their children. I purchased this book as an audio version for ease of fitting it into a busy parenting day but have been surprisingly appreciative of how much more powerful the message sounds read by the talented author.

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Every parent need this wisdom

The first Audiobook that I managed to finish within a few hours of its release, and ready to start from the beginning to make notes. Both Jon and Tina clearly put so much into this book. I would highly recommend this book to each parent, who want to discipline and raise their children with connection and not punishment.

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Fantastic book

I absolutely loved this book. I have read many of the top parenting books out there right now, some of which are mentioned in this book, but this one was the best I have encountered so far. Jon takes many of the most important concepts I have encountered in bits and pieces in other places and brings it all together in a way that make sense and feels achievable while making you feel seen and completely supported. It not only gave me the tools to improve my parenting but was so motivational to do the work to apply them. It didn't feel like there was anything that was thrown in just to fill up pages, and was a quick enough read to be able to reread it on a regular basis. I would recommend this book to all parents.

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Listen to this book for a better way to parent!

I listened to this audiobook during my run at the gym yesterday morning. When I got home with my four year old, we went in to say hi to my husband where he was working from home. Our daughter picked up the tea strainer he had sitting on his desk, and tea dripped all over the place. My husband sighed, but before he could say anything, I jumped in and pointed to the spill and calmly said, "Oops! What should we do?". My daughter happily ran to get a washcloth. While she was wiping it up, I asked if she had any questions and we talked about how tea is made. It was an overwhelmingly positive moment in a situation that could have gone the other way completely. But since I had just listened to the section of this book with the story about your Sharpied deck, I could access the calm, curious parent I needed to be. I have no doubt that others who listen to this book will have similar positive experiences. I highly recommend it!

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Gold parenting information

Jon did a great job writing and performing this book. I’m beyond grateful to have found him on social media when my son was only a few months old. I knew that I wanted to parent differently than I was parented, but I didn’t know how to get started. I knew that raising my voice to my baby or toddler felt wrong, but again I didn’t know how to change. Jon helps us to get curious about ourselves and our kids. This curiosity leads to better regulation and the ability to respond to situations with our children, rather than react. I’ve already read/listened to the book once and I know this is one I will be going back to. Not only will my children benefit from the skills I pick up in this book, but all of my relationships, including the one with myself are going to reap the benefits. Thank you, Jon!

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easy to listen and put into action

Easy and pleasure to listen. The best thing about the book is that is very practical and gives a lot of good ideas how to approach your kids.

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He explains these co cents sooooo well!

Love this book! Great for all parents… seriously. It’s fun to listen to, full of humanity, and great, easy to digest information about parenting and the brain.

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Excellent book, Highly recommend

I truly feel like my review of this book won't reflect on how thankful I am for this content. After reading countless books and podcasts, while some did have some things I could take away, it just didn't match what I was needing or looking for. Rasing my son, who is now almost 5 was great and smooth sailing, until we had another child and from there, things got a bit bumpy. Nothing I read felt like I could relate or help us solve a lack in 'something', which I couldn't identify at that time. If you are a peaceful parent, following the Non aggression principal, this book is a MUST read, even if you don't need any tools. This was my first time reading this book and certainly won't be the last. Look forward to applying the tools in your book ! A big thank you and a big well done !

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great book great info.

really loving the book. not even done yet and I'm already leaving a review, never done that before so that says a lot. this guy is great and I aspire to be more like him as a dad. don't miss this book. 10/10

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